Phellinus Linteus (Mesima, Meshimakobu, Song-Gen, Sang-Hwang)

Phellinus Linteus is a mushroom that resembles a hoof. The colour of its stalk varies from dark brown to black. It is found mainly in China, Korea and Japan, where it is treated as a medicinal plant. This mushroom prefers the mulberry tree to other trees and is usually found growing on branches and stems. It is known as Song-Gen in China, Sang-Hwang in Korea, and Mesimakobu in Japan.

Medicinal Properties of Phellinus Linteus

In Korea the mushroom is made into a tea and drunk on a regular basis. In the Asian countries, they have used the mushroom for hundreds of years to treat diarrhoea, gastroenteric dysfunction, haemorrhage, cancers and other ailments. The mushroom is also said to boost the body’s immune system. This is due to the presence of Beta D-Glutan and Lectin. These two polysaccharide-protein complexes possess properties that control the immune system.

It is also hailed as having properties that can regulate blood sugar levels. This follows the discovery of a compound known as interfungins A. In short, it is highly beneficial for diabetics to incorporate this mushroom in their diet. It is particularly helpful in controlling Type 2 diabetes.

In treating haemorrhage, the mushroom controls bleeding in ovaries and excessive bleeding during menses. It also stops intestinal bleeding. Research is currently underway to determine if Phellinus Linteus can control haemophilia. Should the findings be confirmed, it would be a great breakthrough in the medical field. Haemophilia is a genetic disorder that inhibits normal blood clotting. When someone gets a cut, the open part bleeds for a while as the body initiates the clotting process. Then bleeding stops and the body begins to repair the broken cells. In cases of haemophilia, bleeding continues unabated which can be fatal.

The extract from Phellinus Linteus has an antioxidant known as hispidin, Antioxidants are good for health because they help to clear free radicals from the body. Free radicals can become dangerous in the body if they begin to distort the make-up of normal cells. Such is the distortion that leads to formation of cancer cells.

According to Harvard Medical School, extracts from Phellinus Linteus contain potential anti-cancer agents. The British Journal of Cancer reported that the Phellinus Linteus mushroom was able to disrupt and curtail the performance of the AKT enzyme and hence preventing further development of breast cancer.

Extracts of this mushroom have anti-bacterial properties too. The methanoextracts contain compounds, (CHCl3, n-BuOH and H2O), that fight against bacteria. These particular compounds are found very precious because they are able to fight a bacteria resistant to existing medication. Staphylococcus aureus is the stubborn bacteria. It is resistant to Methicillin.

Staphylococcus aureus causes different infections including furuncles and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. The latter usually occurs in infants. Someone can get infection by touching pus that is infected with the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria can also cause septic arthritis, especially for people using prosthetics. Among the most serious infections caused by staphylococcus aureus is the infection of the valves of the heart. In medical terms it is called staphylococcal endocarditis.

This bacterium also causes clotting of blood plasma. This is serious as plasma is the liquid part of the blood that helps move nutrients around the body.

By effectively clearing bacteria, the Phellinus Linteus helps to stop any diarrhoea that the bacteria may have caused. This is important because excessive diarrhoea can cause dehydration and shock. If not treated in good time, diarrhoea can be fatal. That is why often patients of diarrhoea are put on drip even as treatment of the infection goes on.

Gastroenteric dysfunction, one of the conditions corrected by Phellinus Linteus, is a situation where the bowels do not work properly though they seem alright. A person may be suffering constipation or even an irritable bowel, otherwise referred to as IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome. These disorders are often a result of poor feeding. In this respect is the tendency to eat refined foods. It is important that people incorporate fibrous foods in their diet. For those who are used to quick meals, whole cereals and vegetable salads would help.

The disorders may also be caused by frequent use of laxatives. The digestive system is designed to naturally handle the processing of food from the point of entry to the point of exit. Unless something extraordinary is the matter, the body needs to be allowed to perform its work without being induced. When one misuses laxatives, the bowel muscles become weak causing the disorders. Laxatives include products based onsodium bicarbonate.

To avoid constipation, one needs to exercise regularly and eat more fibrous foods. A lifestyle that leads to frequent constipation needs to be avoided. This is because a person can develop fissures and haemorrhoids.

Increased fibre intake and possibly a little more caffeine can help stop the IBS. An individual should also be keen to identify the foods that initiate the Irritable Bowel Syndrome and avoid them. For all other disorders within the digestive system, a whole food diet is recommended.